What is NAD+? Why This Little-Known Molecule Matters for Your Energy, Mood, and Metabolism
- newleafhw
- Jun 27
- 4 min read
When it comes to feeling energized, focused, and healthy, few molecules work harder behind the scenes than NAD+. But despite its huge role in your body’s day-to-day function, most people have never heard of it.
Let’s change that.
What is NAD+?
NAD+ stands for Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, a coenzyme found in every single cell in your body. It’s a metabolite of vitamin B3 (niacin) and plays a central role in dozens of biological processes that keep you running.
Here’s what NAD+ does:
Energy Production: NAD+ is essential for creating ATP, the fuel your cells use for energy. Without enough NAD+, your cells can’t make the energy they need to function.
Inflammation Reduction, Especially in the Brain: NAD+ helps lower inflammation throughout the body, but it’s particularly important for neuroinflammation. That means better focus, mood, and mental clarity. It’s also a key player in the production of glutathione, one of your body’s master antioxidants.
Anti-Aging & DNA Repair: NAD+ helps repair cellular damage and supports antioxidant pathways. It activates repair enzymes (like PARP enzymes) that help keep your DNA and cells healthy over time.
Muscle Health & Repair: NAD+ supports muscle function, growth, and recovery. It aids in strength training and maintaining muscle mass as we age.
Metabolic Health & Insulin Sensitivity: NAD+ plays a role in improving insulin sensitivity and overall metabolic function. This makes it a great adjunct for patients working on weight loss or blood sugar balance.
Mood & Mental Energy: By supporting healthy serotonin production and boosting cellular energy, NAD+ may lift mood and help with that drained, low-energy feeling many people describe.
And one more bonus: It’s completely natural. Your body makes it on its own, but as you’ll see below, sometimes it needs help.
What Depletes NAD+ Levels?
Unfortunately, there are many factors that drain our NAD+ stores, especially as we age or when our health is under stress:
Aging: Our natural production of NAD+ declines as we get older, which is part of why energy, mood, and recovery change over time.
Inflammation: This includes inflammation from chronic illnesses, autoimmune conditions, obesity, injuries, or even long-standing viral infections. The natural increase in inflammation with age (sometimes called “inflammaging”) also burns through NAD+.
Lifestyle Factors: Vitamin deficiencies (especially B3), alcohol consumption, excess sun exposure, chronic stress, and poor sleep all increase your body’s demand for NAD+ while lowering what’s available.
Insulin Resistance: When your blood sugar runs high over time, it creates cellular stress and damage, further depleting your NAD+ levels and creating a vicious cycle between metabolic dysfunction and low NAD+.
Exercise Without Replenishment: Exercise is great for your health, but it temporarily increases inflammation and muscle damage, both of which raise your NAD+ needs. If you’re strength training or doing high-intensity workouts without adequate NAD+ support, you may find yourself running low over time.
How to Rebuild Your NAD+ Levels
The good news? There’s a lot you can do to help restore your NAD+ levels:
Nutritional Support: Start by focusing on whole, nutrient-rich foods—especially those high in B vitamins. Foods like meat, eggs, legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains, avocados, and mushrooms are all good sources of niacin (vitamin B3), which your body uses to build NAD+.
Address Inflammation at the Root: Whether it’s improving gut health, treating underlying illness, or working on weight management, reducing inflammation will help protect your NAD+ stores.
Prioritize Sleep & Stress Management: Aim for 7–9 hours of restful sleep per night, and build in regular stress management practices like movement, mindfulness, or time in nature.
Supplement Wisely: You can supplement with NAD+ precursors, like niacin, niacinamide, or nicotinamide riboside (NR). These can help nudge your body to produce more NAD+, especially if your levels aren’t severely depleted. A note: be cautious with niacin, as it can cause a flushing reaction at higher doses. Always talk with your doctor before starting a new supplement.
Why Direct NAD+ Therapy May Be More Effective
For people who are significantly depleted—or who want more noticeable, faster-acting support—direct NAD+ therapy offers a more efficient solution.
Unlike precursors (which rely on your body’s ability to convert them into NAD+), prescription NAD+ therapy delivers the active molecule directly. This can bypass conversion bottlenecks and deliver more immediate results for energy, mood, focus, and cellular repair.
In my practice, I offer several NAD+ delivery options:
Troches (lozenges)
Nasal spray
Subcutaneous injectables
These options allow us to customize dosing and delivery method based on your health history, lifestyle, and goals.
Of course, NAD+ therapy isn’t for everyone—and it works best when paired with other foundational health strategies like nutrition, sleep, and stress management.
If you’re curious whether NAD+ support is right for you, I’d be happy to help you explore your options in a personalized, whole-body way.
This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, medication, or treatment plan to ensure it is safe and appropriate for your individual health needs.
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